Fitchburg baseball team ready to move on

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To say John Costello's first year as the Fitchburg High baseball coach was a difficult one would be a gigantic understatement.

The Red Raiders, despite playing hard all season long, endured loss after loss and finished without a win at 0-20.

This year's goal is to not let that happen again.

"It was a tough year last year," Costello said. "You always hope it's going to be better. We're starting off 0-0. Personally, I'd rather forget (about last season) if I could, but I can't and I bet they can't, either."

The key in Costello's second season is to start fast, gain confidence and see where that takes the Red Raiders at the end of the regular season.

"We want to start off good and let the chips fall where they may," he said. "We're going to go out, play hard and that's it. Simple expectations. I want them to have fun and play baseball."

Fitchburg, which doesn't have a JV team and will carry 18 players on varsity, certainly doesn't lack talent, according to its head coach.

"We have some good players that like baseball and try hard," he said.

Darius Flowers and Diosmar Reynoso are being counted on to lead the way on the diamond.

Reynoso is a senior catcher and pitcher, while Flowers bolsters the pitching staff and is also a strong catcher and shortstop.

"They are probably my two best players," Costello said.

Add senior second baseman Zach Keating into that mix, and the Red Raiders are off to a good start as far as talent.

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"They are my three leaders," Costello said about Flowers, Reynoso and Keating.

Sophomore Andy Serrano returns to the varsity and will play in the middle infield. Senior Joel Luna is a starting outfielder and will help on the mound. Antonio Cruz is the starting first baseman.

Costello is high on freshman third baseman Arcadio Santiago.

"He's got a gun for an arm and he's pretty polished for a freshman," Costello said.

Senior Ben Tompkins should see some time on the mound, while youngsters Myles Callahan and Mike Doss will "get their feet wet" in the outfield.

Flowers headlines Fitchburg's starting rotation.

"He wants the ball and always wants to go out there," Costello said.

Flowers, along with Reynoso, Santiago and Luna, will be the top four pitchers.

Costello points to Flowers, Reynoso and Keating as the key bats in Fitchburg's lineup.

"These are good kids and they are working hard in the gym," Costello said.

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